The Redskins announced their eight-player practice squad on Sunday. The group is comprised of young players who saw extensive action during preseason.
PRACTICE SQUAD (as of Sept. 2) | ||
Player, Pos. | Experience | College |
Brian Bell, FB | R | Kent St. |
Alex Buzbee, DE | R | Georgetown |
John Eubanks, CB | 1 | Southern. Miss. |
Kili Lefotu, OL | 1 | Arizona |
Matt Sinclair, LB | 1 | Illinois |
Burl Toler, WR | 1 | California |
Anthony Trucks, LB | 1 | Oregon |
Byron Westbrook, CB | R | Salisbury |
Two notable names absent from the list are a pair of 2007 draft picks: quarterback Jordan Palmer, a sixth-rounder out of UTEP, and linebacker Dallas Sartz, a fifth-rounder out of USC.
Bell, a rookie, was active intraining camp, impressing as a pass-catcher. He caught one pass for nine yards in preseason play.
Even though Bell is on the practice squad, he essentially serves as a backup to Mike Sellers. The Redskins opted to keep just one fullback--Sellers--on the final roster.
Buzbee is a Georgetown product who was steady through preseason. He recorded eight tackles in four preseason games.
Eubanks is a first-year player who saw action in the Redskins' 2006 season finale. In preseason, he logged three tackles, but he was narrowly beaten out for the Redskins' fifth cornerback job by Leigh Torrence. Eubanks can also return kickoffs.
Lefotu was the Redskins' 2006 seventh-round draft pick. He was released by the club a year ago, but he re-signed in January 2007 and showed progression as a starting right guard in NFL Europa last spring.
Sinclair and Toler also played in NFL Europa last spring; both signed with the Redskins on June 27.
Sinclair recorded 14 tackles in preseason play--tied for third on the team--and he esssentially beat out Sartz as a reserve outside linebacker. He is a first-year player who has had NFL stints with Baltimore and Miami.
Toler caught three passes for 26 yards in preseason for the Redskins. He spent time with the Oakland Raiders in 2006, but was released.
Trucks was a solid performer throughout preseason. In the second preseason game, he leveled a hit on Ravens QB Kyle Boler that forced an interception and a touchdown.
A first-year player who spent time on the Redskins' practice squad last year, Trucks was fifth on the team in preseason tackles with 12.
Westbrook, the brother of Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook, is also a local product. He grew up in Washington, D.C., and played his college ball at Salisbury University.
Coaches like Westbrook's potential; he recorded four tackles and forced a fumble in preseason.